India Achieves 48.65% Reduction in Ship Turnaround Times at Major Ports
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New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) The average turnaround time for ships at India’s primary ports has seen a drastic reduction of 48.65 percent, dropping from 93.59 hours in 2013-14 to 48.06 hours in 2023-24, as reported by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, during a session in the Rajya Sabha.
This significant drop highlights the enhanced efficiency at Indian ports in managing vessels and cargo, which are now processed more swiftly, leading to a decrease in logistical expenses.
“The government has implemented a variety of measures to enhance turnaround times, including the establishment of new berths, terminals, and parking facilities, upgrading existing infrastructure, digitizing processes, and improving hinterland connectivity through rail and road networks,” the minister stated in a written response.
The Jawahar Lal Nehru Port, located near Mumbai, has achieved an impressive turnaround time of just 26 hours. Other major ports have reported the following turnaround times: Chennai at 44.92 hours, Deendayal Port (Kandla) at 54.24 hours, Paradip port at 41.61 hours, Cochin at 33.4 hours, New Mangalore port at 40.44 hours, Visakhapatnam at 65.86 hours, Mumbai at 62.97 hours, Kamarajar Port (Tamil Nadu) at 44.37 hours, and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata) at 60.85 hours.
“The allocation of berths and the sequencing of vessels at major ports are conducted according to the Berthing Policy set forth by the Ministry. The process of infrastructure development and capacity enhancement at major ports is ongoing, involving the construction of new berths and terminals, mechanization of current facilities, and capital dredging to deepen drafts for accommodating larger vessels, alongside improvements in road and rail connectivity,” the minister elaborated.
In a remarkable advancement for India’s port development initiative, nine of India’s ports have secured positions in the Global Top 100 according to the latest Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) for 2023, a report released earlier this year by the World Bank and S&P Global Marketing Intelligence.
Sonowal attributed this success to the ambitious Sagarmala programme, which was envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at modernizing ports and enhancing their operational capacities.
“This achievement is monumental for Indian ports and reflects the dedicated efforts of the Narendra Modi Government to modernize, mechanize, and introduce technological advancements to improve performance and operational efficiency. There has been a notable enhancement in operational efficacy and service delivery concerning the efficient management of vessels and cargo,” the minister concluded.
